Twin Peaks (TV Series) May the Giant Be with You (1990) User Reviews

Season two begins and it is as surreal as ever

[Tweekums · 10/10 · 10 May 2012]

Season two begins just after season one finished; with Special Agent Cooper lying on the floor of his hotel room bleeding from a gunshot wound to the abdomen... things immediately get somewhat surreal as the elderly hotel worker comes in to bring his coffee and carries on a conversation with Cooper as if seeing somebody in his state was an everyday occurrence. That is only the beginning of the weirdness; he is then visited by a very tall man who gives him advice about the investigation. Once he has been patched up at the hospital the investigation continues and we learn more details about the night before; Leo and Nadine are in comas, Pete Martell is suffering from mild smoke inhalation and Catherine and Josie are missing. Since Leo had been shot at home they set about searching the property and Andy accidentally discovers a quantity of cocaine. It is also established that there was a third man present the night that Laura Palmer was killed and he was the one who actually killed her; of course with Jacques Renault dead and Leo in a coma it may take some time for the police to identify him... we will have to wait longer to discover who did kill Laura Palmer.

This was a great opening to the series; writer/director David Lynch did a fantastic job keeping the various story lines going without any of them getting boring. The opening scene should get viewers hooked again; the unconcerned old man was surreal enough then the tall man took the strangeness to another level. The strangeness continues when we next see Leland Palmer; his hair has suddenly turned white which understandably shocks his family. As before much of the fun of this series is derived from its slightly strange characters; it is great to see FBI forensics expert Albert back; once again he is rubbing everybody up the wrong way; Miguel Ferrer is great in this role; Harry Goaz once again provides some laughs as Deputy Andy Brennan and Kyle MacLachlan continues to excel as protagonist Agent Cooper. It isn't all laughs of course; Big Ed's story of how he ended up marrying Nadine and how she lost her eye was poignant and the final scenes where were saw the mysterious Bob were disturbing to say the least.

"Uncle Leland's hair turned white!"

[framptonhollis · 10/10 · 6 October 2017]

Season one definitely has its moments of surrealism and absurdity, but it isn't until season two things start to get really crazy. Right from the get go, Agent Cooper is lying on the ground covered in his own blood as an elderly waiter fumbles and bumbles around for five minutes in a hilariously Lynchian fashion. And, suddenly, a mythical giant magically appears and gives Cooper a cryptic and creepy little message.

And that's how season two begins.

And, the first time I viewed his oddity of an episode, this was when I knew I was in for a real treat!

And what a treat this episode truly is! Other than the fantastically weird opening, tons of absurdity and surrealism is poured all over this pitch perfect masterpiece of a premiere! From its opening laughs to its closing screams, this is a jaw dropping and divisive combination of horror, mystery, comedy, and drama like you've never seen before! Leland Palmer's hair unexpectedly and inexplicably changes color overnight, Donna intentionally acts like a stereotypical femme fatale for no particular reason, Andy has an awkward slapstick encounter and its aftermath lasts for over two weird, wacky, laugh out loud minutes, and plenty more. There are moments to make your skin crawl, your fists tighten, your jaw drop, your heart warm, and your funny bone tickle. It's ninety minutes of seamless, surreal, and stylistic entertainment of the most brilliant degree!

A long, surreal episode full of classic moments.

[TouchTheGarlicProduction · 10/10 · 20 March 2017]

The season two premiere is twice the length of a normal episode, and covers a staggering amount of ground in that time. It contains so many classic scenes that I had to keep a list just to remember them all. And yet, despite how packed it is, the first twenty minutes are blissfully slow and surreal. This opening sequence is a slap in the face to first time viewers, as it directly follows the cliffhanger-riddled season one finale. Rather than receiving eagerly awaited answers, viewers are given twenty minutes of a bumbling old waiter and a soft-spoken giant. The placement of this sequence in the episode makes it all the more brilliant and all the more excruciating. It has also made it the scene most closely associated with this episode.

However, the episode does eventually start providing answers. Once it gets rolling, it doesn't slow down. Jerry reveals his dark side. Audrey finds a way out of her predicament. Leland makes a triumphant return (and sings Mairzy Doats). Donna experiments with a new lifestyle. Numerous characters are interviewed at the hospital. Bobby reconnects with his father in a surprisingly touching scene that comes out of nowhere. Leland gets happy. Audrey prays. The giant makes a second appearance. The murder is shown. And that's just the standouts! When people discount season 2, they are often forgetting how strong it starts out. The quality actually only starts to drop off after the killer is arrested. Season 2 has just as many classic moments as season 1, and this episode is one place where they are highly concentrated.

David Lynch at his most surreal....

[Red_Identity · 19 August 2010]

The first season of Twin Peaks was really great. Although it was only 8 episodes, it introduced some very interesting and mysterious characters with secrets and hidden backdrops. It was a great mystery/crime drama with elements of surrealism. The 1st episode of the 2nd season continued but dwells even more into the surreal and nightmares that David Lynch is so known for. The episode is masterfully written and directed, and it involves some of most disturbing images ever on Television. The last scene is enough to scare many viewers and to wonder what type of show they are watching, since many must have thought this would only be a murder mystery. Hopefully, the rest of the season is as great and I will be looking forward to more and to where Lynch and Frost takes me.

A classic masterpiece the original the best second season and TV show

[ivo-cobra8 · 10/10 · 3 May 2017]

Twin Peaks is one of the best TV series of the 90's and it is a classic masterpiece of all time . Season One was great with only 8 episodes, but Season Two is incredible my favorite Season of the TV series. I love this show to death! This was my mom's favorite TV show I wasn't a fan but watching it now since they are planning all new Twin Peaks Revival 2017 TV series and I am hooked. It was my mom's favorite TV show before she past away 10 years ago and my co worker who is also my best friend is her favorite TV show too. This show has everything awesome cast of good actors, mystery, suspense, horror, thriller, supernatural, demons, spirits, humor, everything. No wonder the show has 8.9 on IMDb. Kyle MacLachlan as Special Agent Dale Cooper is incredible, this is one of his best performance ever! Watch Season 1 Episode 7 in which Dale Cooper finds naked Audrey Horne (Sherilyn Fenn) in his bed room and he doesn't throw her out of his room , or having sex with her, he showed us that he is a human being and a real gentleman, I have ever saw on TV show or in any movie. The classic score by Angelo Badalamenti "Twin Peaks", is a beautiful score I love it. David Lynch is fascinated and brilliant director I have ever saw he has the best story in cinema history.

Twin Peaks is an American television serial drama created by Mark Frost and David Lynch that premiered on April 8, 1990, on ABC. It was one of the top-rated shows of 1990, but declining ratings led to its cancellation after its second season in 1991.

Season 2:

"Episode 8" also known as "May the Giant Be with You", is the first episode of the second season of the American mystery television series Twin Peaks. The episode was written by series co-creators David Lynch and Mark Frost, and directed by David Lynch. The plot has a humor incredible mystery that you keep guessing what secrets Laura did had and who killed her? This episode has heart and soul we see Dale Cooper ling on the floor of his hotel room after being shot in the stomach and the waiter keeps bugging him and they have such a beautiful funny dialogues that I was laughing. We find out a lot with people's lives that happened from the end of the first season: Leo Johnson (Eric Da Re) was shot, Jacques Renault (Walter Olkewicz) was strangled, the mill burned, Shelly Johnson (Mädchen Amick) and Pete Martell (Jack Nance)got smoking hallucinations. Catherine Martell (Piper Laurie) and Jocelyn Packard (Joan Chen) are missing and Nadine Hurley (Wendy Robie) is in the coma for taking sleeping pills. It starts strong and ends with a shocking and scary vision of Laura is been killed. I can't wait for Season 2 to watch it all episodes.

May the Giant Be with You is the best start of Season 2 it is my favorite and episode. It is a classic masterpiece including whole TV series I love it to death. Bobby visits Shelly in the hospital and she express her feelings to him and so does he, it is a touching scene, than Bobby reconnects with his father in a surprisingly touching scene that comes out of nowhere. There are more cryptic clues to remember in a viewer's quest for the killer. And, there are more characters added in it is a fill of thrill. I give 10/10 Grade: Bad Ass Seal Of Approval.

10/10 Grade: Bad Ass Seal Of Approval Studio: ABC. Starring: Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook, Richard Beymer, Lara Flynn Boyle, Sherilyn Fenn, Warren Frost, James Marshall, Everett McGill, Ray Wise, Michael Horse, Sheryl Lee, Miguel Ferrer, Chris Mulkey, David Patrick Kelly, Don S. Davis Director: David Lynch Producer: Harley Peyton Teleplay: Mark Frost Story by Mark Frost, David Lynch Rated: R Running Time: 1Hr. 35 min.

This is not TV. This is cinema.

[sackofwhine · 10/10 · 19 September 2021]

Blown away. Absolutely gorgeous, surreal and beautiful stuff yet done within a gripping narrative who-dunnit-framework.

I love everything about this show so far- it has such a distinctive, gripping and bizarre tone and atmosphere. Episode 2.1 has all the elements of a great Twin Peaks episode! Lynch is a genius.

What?

[fil-nik09 · 9/10 · 27 February 2016]

What was that?

I don't think I have ever seen such a wonderfully meaningless and surreal scenes as in this episode of Twin peaks! I mean, the first seven minutes of the episode with the old man/waiter/host is just insane and surreal as it can get. Then, the scene when the two girls are talking in the restaurant and then Donna's transformation into femme fatale and her 'dialogue' with James ( who is, by the way, looking so handsome - it is just unbelievable - in that prison scene with Donna) ... Just unbelievable! And then the dancing of the brothers with their lawyer who has gone white over night ... Just too many scenes of utter absurdity! But this is what makes it so interesting!

I would have given it a ten if there wasn't for 'less' defining moments in comparison to the pilot/first episode of the series.

May the Giants Be With You

[rosenfield10-1 · 9/10 · 21 February 2007]

The second season premiere of "Twin Peaks", entitled "May the Giants Be With You", is a feature-length, chaotic bombardment on the senses. Masterfully directed by co-creator David Lynch, I consider this episode to be an unofficial feature film from Lynch, as it is comparable to other Lynch films in both length and quality. Co-written by Lynch and co-creator Mark Frost, the screenplay is credited to Mark Frost, and it is hilarious, touching, and bizarre. This episode is dark at times, but there is a ton of comedy to be found. Mark Frost is at his quirkiest, and David Lynch captures it well. The classic score by Angelo Badalamenti compliments everything. "Twin Peaks", as strange as it can be, has a balance between the horror and the comedy. It is unnerving and effective.

(spoilers) With so many cliffhangers from season one to tend to, there is no shortage of valuable information in this episode. Some questions are immediately resolved. However, being the opening episode of a brand new season, there are far more unanswered questions. Even more, new problems arise. There are more cryptic clues to remember in a viewer's quest for the killer. And, there are more characters added in.

Although it may seem slow at first, episode 8 is certainly one of the series' finest, based on the direction by the multiple Academy Award-nominee alone. But Mark Frost's screenplay is exceptional, as well. There are some really good moments, including revelations by "Big Ed" Hurley, the return of Agent Rosenfield, Cooper's struggling recovery, and Cooper's continuing discoveries.

The following episode (episode nine, "Coma") is also directed by David Lynch, and I find that the two go together nicely. Watch episodes eight and nine back-to-back, and you will definitely get your fill of thrill.

Lynch Flexes His Muscles

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 4 June 2017]

I can't begin to describe everything that goes on in this extended episode. We have murders; we have people left in comas. There are people who should be dead but aren't. The mill has burned down and a couple hundred people have lost their jobs. Audrey manages to escape the amorous, though non-deliberate advances of her father (he doesn't know it's her. Laura's father has his hair turn white for no reason. It happens after he commits an act to relieve himself of guilt. The girls continue their investigation. Cooper meets a giant who gives him three prophecies as he's close to bleeding to death on his hotel room floor. There is a marvelous scene where a room service guy comes in with warm milk and asks him how he's doing down there. Things continue as the ex-con, who appears charming begins to want his pound of flesh for serving time. I could go on, but that's enough to give you an idea. Lynch has moved into the surreal and the the bizarre and that's as it should be.

Everything is grittier

[lareval · 9/10 · 2 October 2021]

Sensational follow up from the first season finale. Everything gets darker, dirtier, grittier. While the storyline is the same, it represents more of a kind of departure from Season 1 tone. Awesome and trippy!

2x01

[formotog · 9/10 · 5 September 2020]

What a brilliant episode this was. This is exactly why I can't wait to finish this so I can move on to the second series from a few years ago, where every single episode is directed by Lynch. Right from the start, the room serviceman was just unsettling. It was funny at first, but Lynch loves to drag out situations like that, and the longer it goes, the more unsettling it becomes. There was a lot of tension formed in this episode just purely based on the fact that you have no idea what this man might come up with. Then after the weird old man who completely ignored the fact that Cooper was bleeding out on the floor, came The Giant, another strange but cool character. It's this kind of surrealism which is why I like Lynch's stuff so much. That being said, the more normal elements of this episode were also excellent. The scene with Ben and Audrey was genuinely making me cringe because the whole situation was just so creepy. At one point, Cooper made a nice speech as he was bleeding out, and I really like the inclusion of Diane and the tape recorder, an inventive substitute for a regular voice over. The episode was just full of really great character moments, like the return of Agent Rosenfield who really makes me laugh, Bobby and Shelly at the hospital, Bobby and his dad who made a really heartwarming speech, Audrey calling out to Cooper. Also, it's like the silly over-the-top OST has come full circle, because at one point in the hospital where Norma was looking in at Ed and Nadine, that stupid music actually worked. These little character moments really gave the episode life. There wasn't a whole lot in terms of plot, though there were a couple of leads. Of course, there was that simply horrifying final scene too. It's the first actual real taste of the crime as it happened, and the imagery and sound were both just haunting. It's one of, if not the most, terrifying ends to an episode I've ever seen. Overall this was just a superbly made episode, absolutely the best so far

Mid 9

Episode 8

[lassegalsgaard · 9/10 · 26 April 2023]

After an explosive first season that sent this show into the history book, it seems like the second season is what ultimately spelled its early doom. However, I do believe that there are a lot of things that really work in this season. The first batch of episodes have a particular darkness that we haven't seen before, and while that probably had a hand in its ratings decline, it really sets the tone for what's to come. And this first episode does that very well. It's a great reintroduction to the world of "Twin Peaks," although there are certain things that don't feel quite right.

Right off the bat, we got into the scenario that closed out the first season, finding Cooper right after he's been shot. Here, we get our first meeting with the Giant, a character with a lot of potential who gives Cooper some riddles to help him with this search for Laura Palmer's killer. This scene is incredible, and really takes the audience back into that Lynchian world that we got a little taste of in "Episode 2." And that feeling continues throughout the episode, as it becomes more clear that Laura's past is directly entangled with the Lynchian aspect of the show and that her death - a moment that we finally see in the closing minutes of the episode - has a lot to do with whatever is going on in Twin Peaks. The episode features a lot of beautiful smaller moments, like Bobby's conversation with his dad at the diner, and a single shot of Norma looking at Ed sitting beside Nadine's bed at the hospital. Where the episode starts to stumble a bit is with some of the characterizations. There is an overnight shift with some of them, and while Leland's transformation is pretty funny and the gag with the white hair really works, Donna's sudden bad girl persona seems to have come out of nowhere. It seems like it's a direct reaction to Laura's tape and which may have led to believe that James likes bad girls, but it's very jarring and it feels too unrealistic, even for a show with these boundaries.

"Episode 8" is a great return to the world of "Twin Peaks" that starts to really embrace the Lynchian weirdness that his fans adore so much. There's a bit of characterizations that could have been better, but overall, this episode sets the darker tone for the show and sets us up for quite the ride.

Laura and her case

[AvionPrince16 · 7/10 · 18 January 2023]

So we follow things where we left: the detective with the bullets in his chests and some weird things will appear: a giant man who will tell some truth about future events: is it a dream? Or reality? Its pretty implicit. So the detective is back in business and we try to gather more infos on Laura and wondering if laura didnt let the killer killed her because she was not satisfied of her life. For now we still dont know also who is the guy with the mask. Jacoby seem to be innocent in that case but just found the necklace of Laura because he followed a couple in the woods. Its still pretty interesting and still wondering who killed Laura and we will now want to see who is the killer. Sound good for the next episodes.

Jelly Donuts?

[ametaphysicalshark · 19 April 2007]

One could be forgiven for watching the first season of "Twin Peaks" and thinking to themselves: 'Well, this is great, but I thought it was supposed to be really bizarre?' Well, if you were thinking that, prepare for a pleasant surprise. Directed by the brilliant David Lynch, with a terrific script by Mark Frost, the second season of "Twin Peaks" gets off to a sublime start with this feature length episode, which really can be compared with several of Lynch's cinematic films. This really does contain some of the funniest and strangest sequences you'll ever see on television. Terrific, terrific episode.

Really, how can anyone not be freaked out by the sheer brilliance that is the last three minutes of this episode? I couldn't sleep for nights after the first time I saw that.

I can't call this the best "Twin Peaks" episode, since a couple of the latter Lynch-directed episodes are probably better, but gosh darn, this is damn good anyway!

Letter Grade: A+

"May the Giant Be With You"

[TheDonaldofDoom · 28 February 2018]

Wow. This episode is really something. Even more happens in it than the finale of Season 1, which already had its crazy moments. Right off the bat we get a crazy, absurd moment when an old waiter sees nothing strange about Cooper lying on the floor bleeding (and Cooper doesn't seem to see anything strange about the old waiter). It's a bizarre moment that let me know straight away this episode was going to go much further into the surreal than any of Season 1. And oh, it does. Because once the old waiter has left the room a strange apparition appears to tell Cooper three things.

This is followed up by yet another fantastically creepy scene in which Audrey has to hide her face from her own father to avoid an incredibly awkward moment. And if all of that isn't weird enough already, in an at first normal scene at the Palmer's house Leland emerges with white hair, so overjoyed that he bursts into song. Leland's signing is so eerie because this is a guy who's consistently been absolutely miserable, yet now he is the happiest man alive. And yet, his hair has gone white during the transformation. It's a wonderfully surreal situation. Then Maddy sees a creepy stain on the carpet. Just because.

Despite the surrealism of many of the scenes, there are still plenty of tender, more grounded moments that ensure the average viewer isn't completely alienated. Bobby's tender moments with Shelly and with his father are enough to make me like him again, even after what he did to James by putting cocaine in his engine.

Okay, there are a couple of things I'm not crazy about. The first is when Andy hits himself with a plank and stumbles around. It's something that just feels outdated, like it belonged in an old Laurel and Hardy skit. And then there's the ending. While I like the surreal turn this episode took, I'm not sure about this new character Bob. It's a shocking reveal the way he brutally murders Laura, however the way he acts, especially that roar, is exaggerated, like the villain of one of the bad classic Whos, out of place in a show like Twin Peaks.

Those are two minor things. Mostly, I loved this episode's surreal turn.

I want to know who killed Laura

[gedikreverdi · 1 April 2022]

The owner lady of the mill is dead and the woman from Hong Kong is out of town. Leo is in coma and the ex husband of the owner of the diner works for the brothers and he was the one who shot Leo and Leo knows about Bobby and his wife. The fat man got killed by Laura's father as he thinks he killed her because the cabin in the woods that they all got together was his. A giant man is visiting the special agent in his hotel room. Laura's father's hair became white and he's being super cheerful.